12: The Best Of Times

The segments of this dynamic lecture are:

• 12a: Introduction
• 12b: Pax Romana
• 12c: The Five Good Emperors
• 12d: Church and State in the Early Empire
• 12e: Conclusions

Important terms, concepts, individuals, and events:

Pax Romana, Teutoberg Wald, Claudius, co-option, Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, salus generis humani, Commodus, alimenta, Jews, Bacchic Mysteries

Questions for consideration: 

1. Why did the Greek-speaking East take so well to being ruled by the Romans?
2. Why were the "Antonine Emperors" also known as the "Five Good Emperors?"
3. What were the main theological similarities between Judaism and Christianity?